12 best Benjamin Moore paint colors for kitchen cabinets, according to interior designers who have tried and tested them

Interior designers often turn to their tried and true shades from Benjamin Moore when choosing kitchen cabinet colors, whether that's with white paint or something bolder.

And so, we asked interior designers to share their favorite Benjamin Moore paint colors for kitchen cabinets, which we've rounded up below for you to browse. Unsurprisingly, white paints come up lots – from the subtle warmth of Benjamin Moore's best sellers like Swiss Coffee to the crispness of White Dove – but there are also richer shades to inspire if you want to go bolder in the heart of the home.

If you're on the lookout for some fresh cabinet colors, read on. These paints offer a timeless approach to decorating, whether your style leans rustic or traditional.

1. Opaline

Decorating with warm white paints on kitchen cabinets is popular for good reason. Achieving a timeless finish that lends itself to many design styles, a warm white offers an understated look while ensuring a welcoming feel.

'I love using a warm white on kitchen cabinets, and Opaline OC-33 is my favorite,' says Georgia-based interior designer Lauren Robbins, founder of Lauren Robbins Interiors. 'I prefer to cut it down by 50% to take some of the yellow out, and it always turns out beautifully.'

2. Polo Blue

'My absolute favourite Benjamin Moore color kitchen cabinets is Polo Blue 2062-10,' shares designer Cynthia Ferguson, the founder of Cynthia Ferguson Designs.

This dark blue paint is undeniably bold, appearing almost black in some lights, as Cynthia explains: 'I love how strong it is and how the deep blue seemingly reads differently at different times of the day. With more light in the room, it reads deep blue, but when the sun goes down, it almost reads black. Forever timeless, Polo Blue is one of my go-to colors kitchen cabinets and has been for years.'

3. Alabaster

While some off-white paints with yellow undertones can read too creamy in certain spaces, Alabaster 876 has soft pink undertones, which create a more muted, dusky finish.

'One of my favorite Benjamin Moore colors for kitchen cabinets is Alabaster,' shares Sabah Mansoor, the founder and principal designer at California-based design studio Sabah Mansoor Design. 'As a soft white, it reflects light, brings warmth, makes the space appear open, and can easily be paired with bold or soft accent colors, marble, wood grain, and multiple metal finishes.'

4. Secret Path

'One of my favorite paint shades for kitchen cabinetry right now is Benjamin Moore's Secret Path CSP-800,' says the interior designer Allison Garcy of Allison Garcy Interiors, based between New York and Madrid.

In this modern kitchen, Secret Path, a muddy green paint, was used on the far cabinets. 'It strikes the perfect balance between neutral and interesting – quiet enough to act as a backdrop, but with just enough depth to bring character to a space,' Allison adds. 'I especially love using it in butler’s pantries or on lower cabinets, where it anchors the room without feeling heavy.'

5. White Dove

A crisp and classic white paint, White Dove OC-17, is a popular choice for many rooms, and that's no less true for kitchen cabinets. It was used on the cabinets in this kitchen by Connecticut-based interior designer Caroline Kopp, who says: 'It has everything I am looking for in a warm white – nice and refined but not yellow.'

Another designer to highlight White Dove as a favorite for kitchen cabinets is Jessica Whitley of Jessica Whitley Studio, who adds: 'It’s a warm white that doesn’t feel stark, which is key in kitchens where you want brightness without it feeling sterile. It works beautifully as a backdrop for patterned tile, natural wood shelving, or woven accents.'

6. Chantilly Lace

Chantilly Lace OC-65 is a favorite kitchen cabinet color for Lina Galvao, co-founder of Curated Nest Interiors, who describes it as 'a beautiful pure white, with no undertones.' She adds that it is 'great for perimeter cabinets and walls for a crisp look', and says that 'it looks great with wood or painted accents on an island, pantry, or other accent cabinets.'

'When I’m going for a kitchen that feels light, airy, and timeless, Benjamin Moore's Chantilly Lace is my go-to for upper cabinets – it’s like the classic little black dress of paint colors,' agrees Jacqueline Goncalves, the founder of Los Angeles-based Moksa Design.

7. Greenwich Gate

'For a kitchen that feels timeless yet inviting, we’re loving Benjamin Moore's Greenwich Gate – a soft, warm beige that adds depth without overpowering the space,' share interior designers Mallory Robins and Elizabeth Bennett of Kobel + Co. 'It offers a beautiful alternative to white, delivering that neutral foundation with a touch more character and warmth.'

'We always recommend testing the shade at full strength, as well as at 75% and 50%, to find just the right nuance for your space. Lighting, cabinetry material, and surrounding finishes all play a role, so having that spectrum ensures the final look feels perfectly calibrated,' the designers recommend.

8. Swiss Coffee

Swiss Coffee OC-45 is a firm favorite shade, and designers enjoy using it on kitchen cabinets for a timeless look. 'Benjamin Moore's Swiss Coffee is a favorite warm white for kitchen cabinets. It is the perfect neutral white color that does not feel too yellow or beige,' says Miriam Dillon, interior designer at BarnesVanze Architects, based in Washington, DC.

Jordan Ross, principal designer at PCD Studios, also enjoys this neutral on kitchen cabinets. 'We like to ground it with walnut or white oak, something with some guts and story in the grain,' Jordan recommends. 'Then we’d incorporate some brass into the pulls and details, nothing intended to steal the moment, but to give it just a little glint. Throw in a slab of dramatic marble, something bold, and you have just enough tension to cut through all that softness.'

9. Pale Oak

Pale Oak OC-20 is a warm gray paint that's a great choice if you want more depth than white but don't want your kitchen cabinets to be too dark. It's a favorite for interior designer Christie Ward of NYC-based interior design studio, Ward + Gray.

'We used Benjamin Moore's Pale Oak on the kitchen cabinets in a West Village townhouse project,' says Christie. 'We love how it is a subtle contrast to the ivory plaster walls and feels sophisticated and timeless, appropriate for the historic home's original detailing.'

10. Hale Navy

Hale Navy HC-154 is one of Benjamin Moore's most popular blues – a classic navy blue that works just as well on the walls in a living room as it does on kitchen cabinets.

'It’s a time-tested classic that feels both grounded and fresh, working beautifully in transitional, coastal, or even European farmhouse-style kitchens,' observes interior designer Jessica Whitley. 'I love how it plays off natural oak, unlacquered metals, and creamy countertops.'

11. Ballet White

With white paints a clear favorite from Benjamin Moore for kitchen cabinets, it's no surprise to see Ballet White OC-9 also recommended by designers.

'For clients who want the classic look of white cabinets but not the starkness, this is my go-to,' shares interior designer Melanie Bryant, the founder of Mississippi-based Melanie Bryant Interiors. 'Ballet White has a softness to it – it’s warm without going yellow, and I especially love it when the walls are painted the same color. It reads sophisticated and layered, not flat.'

12. October Mist

Lastly, October Mist 1495 is a sage green paint that offers more color for kitchen cabinets, while the overall look remains soothing and understated. Another favorite for Melanie Bryant, below, she explains why it made the perfect choice for this modern rustic kitchen:

'This client wanted a soft cottage-feel and not a bright white kitchen. October Mist struck the perfect balance – not too blue, not too yellow, just a beautiful sage tone that feels restful and rich without being overpowering. It works well as a neutral base for layered, tonal interiors.'

Since kitchen cabinets often account for a large proportion of the kitchen, choosing a color that you love is a must. Whether you go for a timeless off-white paint to allow materials such as wood, stone, or brass to become the focal point, or go bolder with dark kitchen cabinet ideas, these Benjamin Moore shades have designers' seal of approval.